Theory and Implementation of a Variational Database Management System

In this thesis, I present the variational database management system, a formal framework and its implementation for representing variation in relational databases and managing variational information needs. A variational database is intended to support any kind of variation in a database. Specific kinds of variation in databases have already been studied and are well-supported, for example, schema evolution systems address the variation of a database’s schema over time and data integration systems address variation caused by accessing data from multiple data sources simultaneously. However, many other kinds of variation in databases arise in practice, and different kinds of variation often interact, but these scenarios are not well-supported by the existing work. For example, neither the schema evolution systems nor the database integration systems can address variation that arises when data sources combined in one database evolve over time. This thesis collects a large amount of work: It defines the variational database framework and the syntax and denotational semantics of the variational relational algebra, a query language for variational databases. It presents two use cases of the variational database framework that are based on existing datasets and scenarios that are partially supported by existing techniques. It presents the variational database management system which is a prototype of variational databases and variational relational algebra as an abstract layer written in Haskell on top of a traditional RDBMS. It also presents several theoretical results related to the framework and the query language, such as syntax-based equivalence rules that preserve the semantics of a query, a type system for ensuring that a variational query is well-formed with respect to the underlying variational schema, and a confluence property of the variational relational algebra type system with respect to the relational algebra type system and its denotational semantics

Prevalence of hepatitis A among newly admitted medical students of Isfahan city in 2012

زمینه و هدف: دانشجویان علوم پزشکی معمولاً در معرض تماس با عوامل عفونی مثل هپاتیت A می باشد. این مطالعه سرولوژیکی به منظور بررسی فراوانی نسبی هپاتیت A در بین دانشجویان پزشکی در بدو ورود به دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اصفهان در سال 1390 انجام گرفته است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه مقطعی (توصیفی- تحلیلی) 403 دانشجوی سال اول به روش نمونه گیری غیر احتمالی آسان انتخاب و نمونه سرم آن ها به منظور تعیین آنتی بادی توتال IgG و IgM علیه هپاتیت A با روش الایزا مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. یافته ها: دانشجویان شامل 252 نفر (5/62 درصد) مرد و 151 نفر (5/37 درصد) زن بودند. شیوع آنتی بادی علیه هپاتیت A، 5/67 درصد ارزیابی شد. در این میان ابتلا به هپاتیت A با محل سکونت (01/0P=) و نوع آب آشامیدنی (018/0P=) ارتباط معنی داری نشان داد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به در معرض خطر بودن دانشجویان پزشکی، غربالگری اولیه و واکسیناسیون افرادی که علیه هپاتیت A مصونیت ندارند، توصیه می شود

An intelligent decision support system for groundwater supply management and electromechanical infrastructure controls

This study presents an intelligent Decision Support System (DSS) aimed at bridging the theoretical-practical gap in groundwater management. The ongoing demand for sophisticated systems capable of interpreting extensive data to inform sustainable groundwater decision- making underscores the critical nature of this research. To meet this challenge, telemetry data from six randomly selected wells were used to establish a comprehensive database of groundwater pumping parameters, including flow rate, pressure, and current intensity. Statistical analysis of these parameters led to the determination of threshold values for critical factors such as water pressure and electrical current. Additionally, a soft sensor was developed using a Random Forest (RF) machine learning algorithm, enabling real-time forecasting of key variables. This was achieved by continuously comparing live telemetry data to pump design specifications and results from regular field testing. The proposed machine learning model ensures robust empirical monitoring of well and pump health. Furthermore, expert operational knowledge from water management professionals, gathered through a Classical Delphi (CD) technique, was seamlessly integrated. This collective expertise culminated in a data-driven framework for sustainable groundwater facilities monitoring. In conclusion, this innovative DSS not only addresses the theory-application gap but also leverages the power of data analytics and expert knowledge to provide high-precision online insights, thereby optimizing groundwater management practices

Evaluation of Virulence Factors, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Formation of Escherichia coli Isolated from Milk and Dairy Products in Isfahan, Iran

Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are important causes of gastrointestinal diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the presence, antibiotic resistance, and potential biofilm formation in dairy products in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 200 samples, including traditional and pasteurized dairy products, were analyzed. In 200 samples, 54 E. coli isolates, including (48/110) and (6/90) positive samples of traditional and pasteurized dairy products, were detected. Furthermore, pathogenic strains were isolated from 30% of traditional dairy products and 5.55% of pasteurized dairy products. Most isolates were classified as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Moreover, antibiotic resistance was evaluated using the disk diffusion method for pathogenic E. coli. Overall, 73.68% of contaminated samples by pathogenic strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The highest resistance was observed against streptomycin (57.9%), followed by tetracycline (50%). Additionally, all isolates were sensitive to amikacin. For evaluating biofilm formation, the violet crystal assay was applied on a polystyrene microplate well for pathogenic isolates. In total, 68.42% of isolates were able to form biofilms. The presence of E. coli in dairy products indicates potential health risks for Iranian consumers. Serious measures are needed to control and prevent the spread of this pathogen

Nutraceuticals in Hyperlipidemic Children: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Dyslipidemia is a major risk for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to review the effects of nutraceuticals to modify lipid disorders in children. Materials and Methods The literature research was conducted in EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane library from 2002 until January 2015. The following keywords were used: dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, dietary intervention, nutraceutical, functional food, herbal treatment, non-chemical treatment, children, adolescents, clinical trial. Results 13 eligible articles were entered in this study. Consumption of nutraceuticals had significant negative effect sizes (weighted mean differences) for triglycerides (-0.97, 95% CI: -1.49, -0.46), total cholesterol (-0.96, 95%CI: -1.67, -0.26), and low density lipoprotein -cholesterol (-0.54, 95%CI: -0.95, -0.13), it had positive effect size for changes of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (0.43, 95%CI: 0.04, 0.82) . Conclusion Findings of this metaanalysis suggest that consumption of nutraceuticals might have beneficial effects on improving dyslipidemia in the pediatric age group

Accuracy of cystatin C in prediction of acute kidney injury in children; serum or urine levels: which one works better? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background There is still an ongoing discussion on the prognostic value of cystatin C in assessment of kidney function. Accordingly, the present study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to provide evidence for the prognostic value of this biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. Methods An extensive search was performed in electronic databases of Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane library and Scopus until the end of 2015. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% of confidence interval (95% CI) and the prognostic performance characteristics of cystatin C in prediction of AKI were assessed. Analyses were stratified based on the sample in which the level of cystatin C was measured (serum vs. urine). Results A total of 24 articles were included in the meta-analysis [1948 children (1302 non-AKI children and 645 AKI cases)]. Serum (SMD = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.68-1.24; p < 0.0001) and urine (SMD = 0.54; 95% CI:0.34-0.75; p < 0.0001) levels of cystatin C were significantly higher in children with AKI. Overall area under the curve of serum cystatin C and urine cystatin C in prediction of AKI were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.80-0.86) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81-0.88), respectively. The best sensitivity (value = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78-0.90) and specificity (value = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.48-0.73), were observed for the serum concentration of this protein and in the cut-off points between 0.4-1.0 mg/L. Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that cystatin C has an acceptable prognostic value for prediction of AKI in children. Since the serum level of cystatin C rises within the first 24 h of admission in patients with AKI, this biomarker can be a suitable alternative for traditional diagnostic measures

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Isfahan province

Objectives: Patients with Hepatitis C Virus infection are at high risk of getting hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A virus is an important widespread virus that usually causes more severe medical consequences in patients with chronic liver disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus antibody in patients with chronic HCV in Isfahan province, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 117 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus from spring 2010 to spring 2011. Subject′s characteristics such as age, gender, education, genotype of HCV infection and history of intravenous drug use were collected by questionnaire and studied. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software (version 19.0. 2010, SPSS) using Chi-square test, Fisher Exact tests and Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 33.18 ± 10.97 years. The seroprevalence of HAV was 94.9% in patients with chronic HCV. The prevalence of anti-HAV increased nearly as age increased. But, there was no statistically significant difference in HAV positive rate according to the age groups (P = 0.242) and other patient′s characteristics. Conclusions: According to the high HAV immunity in our study and less severe form of HAV infection, vaccination was not required in these patients. However, hepatitis A vaccination program should be performed in HAV seronegative patients with HCV to produce an adequate immune response

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection among laboratory health care workers in Isfahan, Iran

Objectives: Clinical laboratory health care workers can become infected through their occupation with blood-borne pathogens by percutanous injuries and mucocutaneous blood contacts such as cuts, needle sticks, splashes to mucous membranes or other body injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and some of the risk factors in medical laboratory health care workers. Methods: Through a descriptive cross sectional study, 203 participants employed in the clinical laboratories of the city of Isfahan, composed of medical laboratory technologists, technicians and cleaning staff were studied. Participant data were obtained through a self-reporting questionnaire and the level of anti-HCV antibody was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was used to determine risk factors associated with infection. Results: The mean age of the individuals (n = 203) was 35.8 ± 9.54 years. There were 115 women (56.7%) and 88 men (43.3%). All of the subjects were negative for HCV Ab. Conclusions: Hepatitis C infection is infrequent in laboratory health care workers in Isfahan province